CARNEY, Md. -- Fire crews said a discarded cigarette caused a two-alarm blaze that damaged two homes Friday morning.

Hear From Neighbors

The fire occurred at one of the homes at about 6:29 a.m. on Aspen Hill Road near Joppa Road. The fire then spread to a townhome next door.

Neighbors said they did what they could to help.

"The male was actually still asleep and the wife was in the shower, so when I banged on the door, it woke him up. He saw flames, and the house was already starting to fill with smoke, so they ran out with their children," said neighbor Scott Moore, who tried to alarm the family in the home where the fire started.

Officials said both homes were damaged, leaving two families homeless. About $400,000 worth of damage was done.

About 40 firefighters responded to the scene. Some of the neighbors said the flames were 10 to 20 feet high.

The fire was brought under control by 7:30 a.m. There were no injuries, and there were working smoke detectors in the home, fire officials said.

The Red Cross responded to help displaced residents.

Use the link to the right above to watch a video clip of the fire sent by an WBAL-TV 11 News viewer.